sherilynn

I considered crab cakes a mushy, and I got by with them just fine. I also bought from Wegmans their 'seafood salad' and ran it through my Ultimate Chopper - so it was very fine. Good luck!

I got the centrum chewables, they're fine. But once this bottle is gone, I'll be going back to the Ladies Vitamins I buy from Walmart that i've been taking for two years. You probably won't have any trouble swallowing pills post surgery. As a matter of fact, I was on percocet IN the hospital, and I had to swallow those whole.

Wow Shues!!! You are amazing! You've been through alot - yet still come here and encourage us all with your amazing story of triumphing (is that a word??). 37 the hard way, huh? I must say - I am in awe. I know that any depression that I've had in the past, I've dealt with it and GAINED weight. Congrats on that turkey burger, I'm sure you considered it a feast!! I hope you're well on your way to a safe, happy recovery. I hope you can appreciate how much your story has inspired me as well as others. We all have an uphill battle, some of it depression, some negativity, some of it comes in the form of just plain old evil HUNGER. We're all in it together!!! Warm Regards.

Nope, no fill yet. Tuesday will only be 4 weeks for me, and doc won't do them until at LEAST 6 weeks out. That would put me around 3/15. However when I called him last week to schedule the fill - I was told that my insurance has a 90 day 'hold' for fills - won't cover it until then, which would put me at the end of April. The cost to me would be nearly $1000 dollars after surgeon and hospital fees. I called my insurance, who told me that i have no such 'hold' on my policy - I called surgeon back to let them know...and I'm still waiting on a call back to see what the deal really is. All I know is if I have to wait until the end of April, I'll certainly gain weight back. What a shame if there really IS a hold...since I've suffered to loose the 17 lbs or so that I have already lost.

I'll be 4 weeks out on Tuesday. For the last nearly 2 weeks, I make a point of snacking. B/c my restriction varies, sometimes I can go hours and remind myself to eat to refuel. But sometimes I'm hungry every two hours. A few people here have pointed out that they eat 5 small 'meals' a day - so perhaps that's what I'm doing. I find that proteins are the only thing I'll snack on, for the 'full' factor. String cheese, cottage cheese, shaved ham or turkey, tofu. Now, this weekend, I'm dealing with my first bought of PMS since surgery. Pre-band my sweet tooth is endless - and post band I'm finding the same thing! So, rather than 'suffer' through - I had a little bit of ice cream, and I've sucked on some 'dark' Lindor chocolates. Pre-band, I'd have eaten a whole candy bar at a time...not now. I'm just trying really hard to make better choices, at least until my first fill.

I remember looking at the clock at 12:15, and then again at 1:20!!!! Amazing, isn't it??

Believe me, as much as I adore my trips to the caribbean, there is no way that I'd be ready to travel, but then again, I'm not quite a month out (tuesday!). I would definately believe that 8 weeks out I'd be fine. Best bet - check with your doctor. Keep in mind, everyone heals and reacts differently. You'll want to be sure to travel someplace with good filtration, etc. You won't want to chance a hospital or doctor visit while you're in some of the Caribbean countries, while others have wonderful facilities. Where are you going? **I'm being nosey, but the Caribbean is my passion.

Chris, I applaud you! :clap2: You had the guts to finally say what I've wanted to say to many of the naysayers who come to this board, don't like the answers to questions they ask, don't like the advice that is given and then threaten to leave the board. Everyone is here to support each other, there is no other place online or anywhere else that has been this wonderful to me and hundreds of other Bandsters. I do not always like the answers or advice I get, but I deal with it and move on to the next day. I don't threaten to leave the board either - this is my support system. I would venture to say that people like Dahlia are quick to 'quit' alot of other things in their lives, b/c not everything is 'sugar coated' and all answers that they get are 'what they want to hear'. To people like Dahlia who think it's a 'threat' they're going to leave the board, I said "Buh-bye"! And I'd be willing to bet the next place you move onto for support, once they give an answer you don't like, you'll quit that as well. I honestly do wish you good luck. Yes, I'm very lucky to have my band; but it was by no way 'luck' that got it for me.

Do you seriously think with no fill - we have NO restriction? I can't see how that is true at all - being that the band is 'banding' our tummy together. It may not be tight; but it's like squeezing through a tunnel instead of open road. Right? Oooops, maybe I'm wrong!!

I made Chicken nuggets (made of tofu) today. I made 5 oz worth - 7 nuggets. I ate 4, no problem - at 1 bite of the 5th...and stopped. My Band stopped me I guess. Not really pain; but uncomfortable for sure. So - I had 4 nuggets and was stuffed. Heck, at Mc Donalds; I could finish off 9 or 12 with NO problem...plus fries...plus soda. Wow...maybe this IS working after all??// lol Seriously, I am finding that I have way different restriction from day to day, hour to hour.

I'm finding myself getting hungry every couple of hours. However, less in the a.m. - I force myself to have something, just to keep up my energy. I can eat more in the p.m.s. Has anyone else found themselves to be hungry every couple of hours? I'm doing a few small meals now - trying to stick to proteins, since I know they keep you more full for longer. I suppose the p.m. is a good time to stay full with a protein shake, though I've heard its best to have them in the a.m.

Nope, about One THOUSAND dollars - Doctor fee w/o insurance is $440 and the hospital is about the same price (he does fills with fluro at the hosptial). Shoot, for $100 bucks, I'd be getting a fill every month! The way I see it, to pay out of pocket for my FIRST fill - may not even be worth it, since from what I'm hearing the first fill isn't always providing good restriction. Again, tonight - I feell like I ate like a monster! 3 slices of Hormel turkey and a very small red potatoe. NOTHING compared to what I've eaten in the past - but certainly not the 1/2 cup recommendation either.

I called my surgeon today to schedule my 6 week post op fill. I was told that I have a 90 day waiting period on my insurance plan; Horizon BC/BS NJ. I was sooooooo upset since I don't have too much restriction, and I'm sure by 3 months post op - I'll have regular eating capabilities. So I called my insurance, and they told me absolutely not - I can get a fill anytime I wanted. A fill would cost me about $1000k if I self pay. I called back the doctors office and left a message about me calling insurance on my own...I'm waiting for them to get back to me. But they told me many insurances have a 90 day recovery period before any fill will be paid for. You ever hear of this???

Hey Joanne, So glad to hear that we're in the same boat. This board is a life saver - I see that we're all pretty much going through alot of the same things! I'm going to be having my 1st fill around the 15th as well. Baby Got Back - please let us know how you are the day AFTER your fill - I've heard that it can take a few days before you feel restriction - you're lucky to feel it right away!!!

So!! I have THREE more! lol I don't know how I'm going to do this. I really liked the idea of not having to 'diet'...

Jeanette, I'm the same as you; I'm not going to tell anyone that I'm checking my weight - to avoid the 'how much' question. Heck, I want to throw out that damn scale now that I've gained a pound. Hey...maybe it's BROKEN!!! lol Nope, I'm sure it has to do with sodium intake also; I've had some tuna, crabcakes, etc. 1 pound is 'nothing' in the scheme of things...but considering my struggles since the band - I don't want the numbers going UP!!

I'm just miserable this a.m. I was up 1 pound on the scale today. I think I really have to do away with that scale, and just get on it once a week, instead of every day. It was fun watching it go down 1lb a day for a couple of weeks!! Oh well...thats over. Three weeks until a fill? I'm too impatient. I've been sticking to low carbs - to be sure to get in my proteins. GAINED!! UGH! I'm disgusted. I suffered. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised; that weight was water weight. I am allowed to slowly start excercising now; so I'll be starting that today, even if I can only take 20 minutes...its something.

No doubt about it; I'm in Bandster hell. Tonight I had a crabcake, some creamed spinach and 1/2 of one of those cute little designer potatoes, a purple one. Anyway, I was full on that. But wish I was full on the crab cake alone. I'd LOVE to go back to that 'oh I'm too full'...of just a few days ago!!! I think I'm more scared than anything. I have really suffered alot the last three weeks for these 17 pounds to come off! I am NOT going to gain them back!! Been filling up on the Special K protein waters....YUM!

I'm feeling 'satisfied' on 1/2 cup of dense protein, like my cottage cheese. But with some chili, or crabcake - not so much. If I was getting satisfied on only 1/2 cup; I don't think I'd get a fill. ESPECIALLY if you're comfortable with your water. I'd love to be full on 1/2 cup, yet be able to gulp my water - a dream!! I am waiting for my doctors office to call me back. I'm hopefully going back at my 6 week (3 more weeks) - and get a fill. I don't want to go there to discuss it, then have to go back again to get it done. Alot of travel/time off of work involved! BTW - thank you for the recipes - you can be SURE I'll be making one or both this weekend!!

Sunshine 2.....you're just beautiful! You look great, and so happy! I got home this a.m. and weighed in...after all (what I thought) was alot of eating - no weight gain! However, no loss either. I definately have stalled. Could also be some PMS creeping up on me. Regardless, I know I have no restriction - and now I'm actually afraid! I just have to stick to my proteins and stay away from the carbs. Hope everyone is doing well!

Hey Guys, I haven't been on in a couple of days, I'm down at the Boyfriends house. Been feeling really really good actually. Been great getting out of the house for a few days. Anyway - I don't think I have any restriction. THAT has me scared. I'm making the best food choices I can. Though tonight, I had two small crab cakes, some spinach and a little mashed potatoes - and I felt my limit. By no means would I be so filled on this before my band. BUt here I am 20 days out -and I think about to enter Bandster hell. I am trying to stay on schedule with my small meals; about 5 a day. Surgeon told me NOT to count Calories - Imagine that!!!!!!!!!!! hehehe But I am doing proteins first. Actually had a little ice cream last night. Have had some shaved ham from the deli, hummus, great, great chili my BF made, a crab cake from Wegmans, and some other stuff this past week. Oh yea, lite Turkey spam!!!! All mushi stuff. I haven't weighed since Friday...honestly - I am afraid. I do not want to gain before my fill. Surgeon said no way until at least 6 week visit. So...3 to go - I can do it. Just thought that 'diet' word would be out of my vocab. Would rather stick to small portions of what I want. He took me off the diabetes meds, b/c my sugars have been so low...and I'm feeling good. I hope you're all well! Sheri Lynn PS; Bought a food sealer, and plan on measuring out meals and freezing them for easy access/portion control.

I took a bunch of thighs, put them in a pot, covered them with water, some onion, carrots and whole celery - boiled for a few hours. The stewed thighs were PERFECT!!! And it's a kick ass soup on top of it all!

Hey all, Had my two week follow up. He's pleased with everything, including my 17lb weight loss. Said I'm to be on mushies for two weeks (I started two days ago), then go onto real foods. Said he won't even talk 'fill' yet until a month from now. So, that's fine...I'll just have to deal with it, and be sure to make wise food choices if I feel no restriction. He's keeping me out of work two more weeks, b/c of my fluctuating blood sugars, and b/c I have had such a horrible recovery period. Fine by me!!! I have had some 'small' NSV's: I can feel my jaw bone!!!!!!!!!!!! I too have buttoned some things that haven't in ages! Particularly one velvet blazer. Got on summer capris that will probably be too big...but it feels so good to get them on! Also started to rid the closet of things with tags that I've never worn, and never will, b/c they'll be too big by summer!!!

Hey Edie, I'm not feeling 'full'...and not sure if I'm feeling 'hunger'. I too am afraid of PBing - and think that might be what is causing me not to eat too much. I'm 15 days out - and all that wonderful restriction/swelling is pretty much gone. I find myself wanting to eat more...I think. Does that sound crazy? Like now, I'm thinking of having cottage cheese, so I get some saiety.

My doc lists includes: Tofu Cott. cheese Soft moist boiled or stewed chicken (Thighs are best!) Soft baked fish filet Farina/oatmeal low fat SHAVED deli meats